A delegation from the Ghana Chamber of Mines, representing key stakeholders in the mining industry, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to discuss sector performance, challenges, and policy direction.
The visit aimed to congratulate the Minister on his appointment and provide insights into the mining sector’s contributions and concerns. Welcoming the delegation, Hon. Buah emphasized the critical role mining plays in Ghana’s economic development and outlined government policies to enhance the industry’s sustainability.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring abandoned mining areas are voluntarily ceded for small-scale mining operations within local communities. He also highlighted the administration’s efforts to encourage cooperative small-scale mines, empowering indigenes and preserving the value chain within Ghana.
Addressing concerns within the sector, Hon. Buah assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to tackle security challenges and create a favourable investment climate. He urged the Chamber to collaborate with the government in curbing illegal mining activities, particularly in forest reserves and water bodies. Additionally, he stressed the importance of reserving contract mining opportunities for Ghanaians to enhance local participation and capacity building.
Leading the Chamber’s delegation, President Mr. Michael Edem Akafia provided an overview of the sector’s performance in 2024 and projections for 2025. He acknowledged the engagement with the Minister as a valuable step towards strengthening industry-government relations.
Mr. Akafia underscored the mining sector’s historic role in Ghana’s economic growth and highlighted contributions such as local procurement and merchandise exports. He also outlined key Chamber initiatives, including the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme and Voluntary Forex Sale, noting that producing members accounted for 87.8% of forex receipts obtained by the Bank of Ghana under the program.
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the government to create shared value in the mining sector. Mr. Akafia emphasized that the industry remains a key partner in advancing national development, particularly in alignment with the government’s 24-hour Economy policy.
The engagement signals continued collaboration between the government and industry stakeholders to drive sustainable mining practices and economic benefits for Ghanaians.
